Impact Wrestling’s LIVE Summer Bash continues this week and opens up with highlights from last week focusing on the AJ Styles drama.

In the arena tons of pyro hits and then Mike Tenay & Taz discuss what happened last week with the AJ Styles/Dixie Carter phone recording. Footage of what happened AFTER the show last week is shown with Dixie Carter losing her mind screaming at anyone in shouting distance and throwing around chairs. She even screams at the camera guy and then even walks into the production truck and starts screaming at the director. He claims that he was told by someone that Dixie authorized him to show the recording and Dixie drops the F-bomb again (censored).

In the ring Dixie Carter gets tons of boos thrown at her followed by a “Dixie” chant by others. She says she finds this whole thing unimaginable and she’s thought very hard this week what to say and no matter what she comes up with people will be hurt. She says that the one thing that has become clear to hear is that she feels sorry for Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian because they are so filled with hate and insecurity that they would do something like this to hurt innocent lives. Dixie says there is no other thing she can do but then to tell the truth, but before she can say anything else Daniels music hits and he and Kazarian make their way down to the ring.

Daniels tells Dixie not to listen to the people that are booing her because he knows how hard this is for her. He says he KNOWS the truth so he’ll help her out. He says Dixie made a mistake and she would have been happy to hide that mistake but she got found out. Dixie puts his finger in her face and says she should tell the people that she is a woman and she “wants want she wants.” Daniels says the cold hard truth that she should be telling the people is that she had a hole in her heart that her husband couldn’t fill and she found a suitable replacement in AJ Styles. Daniels asks her who was the person that initiated this and Dixie goes nuts and starts slapping Daniels.

Daniels SHOVES Dixie into the corner and tells her not to ever put her hands on him no matter who she thinks she is. AJ Styles runs out and chases the heels off. AJ screams at Daniels to get back in the ring and now we see Dixie’s husband Serg come down to the ring to help Dixie up. He looks over at AJ and decks AJ! Serg stares AJ down and leaves the ring as AJ looks shocked. AJ looks at Dixie and whispers something to her before the two leave. Taz calls the whole situation awkward as Dixie and AJ walk to the back.

—————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————–

Clips of what just went down are shown and then Tenay says Dixie & AJ have left the building, but AJ is scheduled to appear in a 6-Man Tag with Sting & Angle against Kaz, Daniels, and Roode.

Before the next match Samoa Joe approaches Austin Aries and says he hopes Aries little “water show” (last week when Aries was getting ready for his match and he started randomly spraying himself with a water bottle (I missed it during the show) he ended up spraying Samoa Joe who was behind him) wasn’t a show of disrespect towards him. Aries shrugs it off and says if he was to disrespect Joe he’d know about it. Aries then tosses Joe a water bottle and tells him to have some water. Joe doesn’t like the attempt at a joke.

Crimson vs. “A-Double” Austin Aries

Aries locks up with Crimson and gets him in a Waistlock but Crimson quickly breaks it and tosses Aries aside with an armdrag. Aries starts kicking away at Crimson’s legs as he shoots in for a lockup but when he goes for a third kick Crimson catches his leg and then runs him into the corner and starts nailing Aries with shoulder blocks. Crimson talks trash to Aries and then whips him into the opposite corner where Aries to float over Crimson, but Crimson catches him on his shoulder. Crimson goes for a Powerslam but Aries blocks it and goes back to leg kicking Crimson. Aries follows up with a series of body shots and then Forearm Smashes. Aries hangs Crimson’s leg in the ropes and dropkicks it and then he hits a Knee Breaker! Aries follows up with a Rolling Elbow! Aries charges at Crimson but Crimson backdrops him over the top! Aries lands on the apron and then ducks a right hand from Crimson and trips him! Aries follows up with a Slingshot Corkscrew Splash! 1…2…NO Crimson kicks out and Aries immediately follows up with a Lionsault attempt but Crimson gets his knees up! Crimson goes for the Red Sky but Aries counters in midair with a hurricanrana! Crimson retreats to the corner and then eats the IED from Aries! Aries sets up for the Brainbuster but Crimson counters into a Knee Strike. Crimson tosses Aries out to the floor and then Crimson follows him out but Aries quickly slides back into the ring and then dives out with the Heat Seeking Missile through the ropes onto Crimson the floor! Aries rolls Crimson back into the ring and then starts to climb up top as the referee checks on Crimson, but Samoa Joe runs out and sweeps the legs of Aries causing him to crash and burn on the outside! Joe tosses Aries back into the ring and Crimson covers him, 1…2…3!

Winner: Crimson via pinfall

Crimson grabs the microphone and says there is no one in TNA that can beat him and then claims he just single handedly beat Aries as the fans chant “you suck.” He calls him the “Undefeated Hero” and then says he’s been undefeated way longer than that “Goldberg guy.” He says he’s the most dominant man in wrestling period and says he’ll prove it at Slammiversary. He issues an Open Challenge to ANYONE for Slammiversary.

In the back Hulk Hogan talks about all the drama in TNA and talks about his daughter being in TNA now. He says sometimes you have to be careful about what you accept.

—————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————–

In the back Brooke Hogan walks into the Knockouts Locker Room and introduces herself to them. She sucks up to them and thanks them and wishes them luck in the 4-Way tonight which will feature Tara, Tessmacher, Mickie, & Velvet. The winner faces Gail at Slammiversary and then she says that Velvet will be appearing in Montgomery Gentry’s new music video. Mickie shows some jealousy on her face as all the other girls look happy for Velvet.

Hulk Hogan’s music hits and the TNA GM makes his way out to the ring (Hogan overload right now). Hogan says it’s a party in the Impact Zone tonight and mentions it’s the 10 year anniversary of TNA as a big “TNA” chant erupts. Hogan says the party starts tonight and it goes all the way through Slammiversary on Sunday and ends next week on Impact. Hogan says next week live on Impact the TNA World Title will be on the line no matter who the champion is! Bobby Roode’s music interrupts Hogan and the champ makes his way down to the ring.

The IT Factor says he has a great idea for Hogan and that is for him to shut his mouth and show the champ the proper respect he deserves. Roode says over the last several weeks Hogan has showed him nothing but disrespect starting when he became the longest reigning TNA Champion ever when he ruined his celebration. Hogan attempts to interrupt him but Roode screams that he’s not done. Roode complains about being in the Lumberjack Match last week and now having to be in a 6-Man just a few days before he has to defend the strap against Sting. Roode says now after he defeats Sting he has to come right back and defend the belt yet again on Impact. Hogan says that’s the way it goes but Roode snatches the microphone from Hogan and says he’s still not done. Roode says Hogan is jealous of him because Hogan knows even in his prime he couldn’t even lace up Roode’s boots. Roode says he’s a better man, better wrestler, and better World Champion than Hogan ever was. Roode says if Hogan wants to be the GM he suggests he get his GM ass back to his office and since he isn’t an active wrestler he needs to get the hell out of his ring. Roode gets in Hogan’s face and then Sting’s music hits!

Sting walks down to the ring and Roode jumps him! Roode beats on Sting but then gets distracted by Hogan and then walks into a spinning back hand from Sting! Sting beats on Roode pulling his shirt over his head and then continuing to punch away at Roode. Hogan watches as Sting tosses Roode into the ropes and connects with a clothesline! Roode rolls out of the ring as Sting stands tall in the ring along with Hogan!

In the back the Knockouts get ready for the 4-Way.

—————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————–

In the back Joseph Park talks about his match against Bully Ray. He says he never thought any of this would happen when he started to look for his brother, but says at Slammiversary he’s going to be in search of truth and justice.

My TV has missed Thickie James. The four girls circle each other and then pair off with Tessmacher going after Velvet and Tara going after Mickie! Tara lays Mickie out with a big right hand and then she goes after Velvet! TNT whip Velvet into the ropes and attempt a double backdrop, but Velvet stops and kicks Tessmacher and then Mickie comes over and slams Tara to the mat followed by a clothesline. Tara rolls out to the floor followed by Tessmacher and then Mickie rolls Velvet up into a bridge! 1…2…NO Velvet kicks out as we see Gail Kim walk onto the stage. Mickie rolls Velvet up again and again gets a two count.

—————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————–

Back from the break Gail Kim has joined Taz & Tenay on commentary. Tara has Velvet in the Tarantula but eats a sliding dropkick from Mickie that breaks it up. Mickie goes for the Mickie-DT but Tessmacher slides in and rolls Mickie up for a nearfall. Mickie nails Tessmacher with a right hand and then attempts to whip her into the corner, but Tessmacher reverses it. Brooke goes for a Monkey Flip but Mickie blocks it and then goes for a kick. Tessmacher catches Mickie’s foot but then eats the other one as Mickie goes up for an Enziguri! 1…2…NO Brooke kicks out and Mickie argues with the referee. Mickie picks Tessmacher up but gets caught with a jawbreaker followed by a Neckbreaker from Brooke! 1…2…NO Velvet breaks it up! Velvet picks Brooke but Brooke fights her off with right hands and then whips her into the ropes. Velvet holds onto the ropes and then sidesteps a charging Brooke sending her to the floor! Tara slides in and rolls Velvet up! 1…2…NO Velvet kicks out! Tara tosses Velvet into the corner and hits her with shoulder blocks and then follows up with a Snap Suplex. Tara rolls backwards into a pin for a nearfall. Tara grabs Velvet and locks her in a Boston Crab! Mickie rolls in and locks Tara in a Dragon Sleeper! Tessmacher rolls in now and puts in Mickie in a headlock! A triple submission! Mickie fights Tessmacher over and breaks the hold with an armdrag as Velvet reverses the Crab into a rollup! 1…2…NO Tara kicks out! Velvet kicks Tara through the ropes and then kicks Mickie! Velvet nails Mickie with a series of strikes and then attempts to whip her into the ropes but Mickie reverses it only to walk into a spinning headscissors from Velvet! Velvet charges at Mickie but Mickie catchers her with a Flapjack! Mickie then nips up to her feet but Tara slides back in and tosses her over the top rope to the floor! Tara climbs up top and dives off with a Moonsault but Velvet rolls out of the way! Velvet rolls to the floor and Tessmacher replaces her in the ring. She and Tara stare each other down and Tessmacher shoves her and then nails her with a Forearm! Tara answers with a big chop and then Tessmacher hits a series of Forearms. Tessmacher attempts to whip Tara into the ropes but she reverses it and then gets Brooke up onto her shoulder in a Torture Rack! Tara hit’s the Spiders Web and then she sets up for her Standing Moonsault but Velvet slides back in and kicks her. Velvet hits a Spike DDT on Tara and Mickie dives off the top with a Thesz Press onto Velvet followed by the Mick Kick! Mickie talks a TON of trash at Velvet and then walks into Tessmacher’s finisher! 1…2…3!

Winner: Tessmacher via pinfall

Gail mockingly applauds Tessmacher after the match.

In the back Bully Ray talks about the contract signing with Park tonight and he says Park will have to sign the papers that he’s holding if he has his brothers best wishes in mind.

—————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————–

A replay of the Dixie Carter drama from earlier is shown again (is this RAW, what the hell? We didn’t need to see it AGAIN).

In the back Hogan is talking to AJ on the phone and he tells him to get his ass back to the arena quick as possible. He says he doesn’t “give a sh*t” about his personal stuff.

In the ring Jeramy Borash is in the ring for the contract signing between Park and Bully. Ray comes out first and lets us know who he is per usual. Park comes down to the ring and Ray rips up the contract as the fans chant “we want tables.” Ray says that was a standard wrestling contract for a standard match but they are not going to have a standard wrestling match. Ray holds up another contract and says this is a contract that relieves him of ALL reliability and says that no matter what he does to Park at Slammiversary will lead to NO repercussions. Ray says he won’t be held responsible for what happens at Slammiversary and that’s the one they’re going to sign if the match is going to happen. Ray signs it and then tells Park to sign it.

Park starts reading it but Ray again screams at him to sign it. Park says he told him once already, that he’s never even been in a fight. Park says if Ray thinks he’s crazy enough to put his well being on the line then he needs a doctor. Park says he will not sign it and Ray says he respects that. He offers Park a handshake but then spits in Park’s face! Ray asks him if he’s going to sign it now and calls him a coward. Park says for the last 10 years of his life Abyss gave his life to TNA and he spilled his blood for the fans. Park says “how dare you desecrate his legacy” by what he’s done and if he wants a FIGHT at Slammiversary then he’s on and he isn’t doing it for himself or for the fans, but he’s doing it for Abyss. Park signs the contract while Ray screams at him the whole time.

As Park signs the contract Abyss appears on the big screen and screams at Park to listen to him. Abyss says his whole life Park has been opening doors he had no business opening and now look at the situation he’s gotten himself in. Abyss says he warned him that if he didn’t step away from the fire he would get burned and now it’s too late. Park says he was doing it to help Abyss and Abyss screams at him that he never needed his help. Abyss says Bully Ray claims to have left him for dead but he asks if he looks dead to him now. Abyss says they’ll both find out just how alive he is at Slammiversary!

Ray jumps Park from behind and leaves him laying.

Earlier today Garett Bischoff approached Devon and says it would be an honor to stand in Devon’s corner tonight and watch his back. Devon says he likes him and he tells him to bring it tonight.

—————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————–

Back from the break Taz and Tenay discuss what went down with the Gut Check last week between Taz & Joey Ryan. Taz admits that he may have been a little unprofessional last week but he felt like Ryan was being disrespectful to the other judges. Taz tells Ryan to come back and prove him wrong but says he won’t get better by hanging on Twitter or Youtube.

Footage of what Ryan said last week after what happened on Gut Check is shown. He calls Taz a joke and says he hasn’t been relevant in years when Al Snow walks up and tells him to watch his mouth. Snow says he doesn’t talk to him or Taz like that and he asks if he understands him. Ryan calls him pathetic and says this show is pathetic. Snow grabs Ryan and drags him off (out the door apparently).

Joy, another Devon vs. Robbie match. If only live TV had a fast forward. Robbie jumps Devon at the bell and puts the boots to him. Robbie slaps Devon and then slams him into the corner. He hits Devon with shoulder blocks and then talks trash to him. Devon tries to fight back but Robbie caches him with a knee and then he chokes Devon on the mat. Madison Rayne walks out onto the stage to watch as Robbie continues to beat on Devon. He gets a nearfall and then he whips Devon into the ropes and connects with a back elbow for another nearfall. Robbie whips Devon into the ropes again but this time Devon catches him with a Spear followed by a clothesline and then a back elbow. Devon hits the ropes and connects with a Flying Shoulder Block and then a Rock Bottom! Devon hits a Diving Headbutt and then Robbie retreats to the corner. Devon sets up for something but Robbie T. trips him and now Garett and Robbie square off. The referee separates them as Devon rolls Robbie up. Robbie T rolls intot he ring and rolls Robbie on top of Devon. As Robbie T is leaving Hebner catches him and screams at him to stay out of the ring but while he is arguing with Robbie T., Garett slides into the ring and reverses the pin back for Devon! Hebner turns around, 1…2…3!

Winner & STILL TV Champ: Devon via pinfall (rollup)

Robbie T. comes in and jumps both Devon & Garett. Devon & Garett come back on the heels and clean house again this week.

—————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————–

A replay of what went down between Roode and Sting earlier is shown.

Hogan is back in the ring to finish his announcement about the Title Match next week. He says he was getting ready to make a monster announcement before Roode “rudely” interrupted him, but before he can say anything else he is yet again interrupted, this time by Mr. Anderson. Well, leave it to an “asshole” to ruin things. The fans chant “asshole” at him and he asks him if that’s what their saying, and then thanks them for that. He says what Hogan was getting ready to say was that Anderson is getting his title shot next week, but Hogan tells him to cool his jets. Hogan says he would love to finish his announcement if that’s okay with him and calls him “Mr. Asshole.”

Hogan then asks RVD to come down to the ring. He says now that he has Anderson & RVD in the ring he would like to ask Jeff Hardy to come to the ring which gets a massive pop. Anderson asks Hogan if he’s really thinking about giving one of these “clowns” a match. He says they’ve all 3 been doing everything to try and get a shot at the belt for the last 2 months and he’s already made the announcement that next week we’re having a World Title Match no matter who wins between Roode and Sting. Hogan says the guy that gets the shot next week will be the winner of a 3-Way at Slammiversary between Anderson, RVD, & Hardy! Hogan is losing his voice quicker and quicker as he talks. You can see the frustration on Hogan’s face he tries to get the announcement out. He says the winner of that match at Slammiversary faces the Champ next week and then he says “now I’m done” and flings the microphone down before leaving. Ah, the beauty of live TV.

Little bit of a Fortune reunion on the heel side along with another former Fortune member (AJ) on the other side. AJ doesn’t come down to the ring when his music hits so Sting comes out instead. The heels jump Sting & Angle as they come to the ring but as they whip Sting and Angle into the ropes Sting hits an Atomic Drop on Daniels and Angle trips up Kaz and locks in an Ankle Lock! Sting locks in the Scorpion on Daniels! Both get to the ropes to break the hold as Roode just watches. Taz and Tenay talk about how this is uncharacteristic of AJ Styles to not have his head in the game and no-show a match.

—————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————–

Back from the break Daniels slams Sting to the mat and covers him for a nearfall. Daniels locks Sting in a chinlock as we see Daniels & Kaz double teaming Sting during the break. Sting fights to his feet and breaks the hold before Daniels catches him with a Snapmare Takeover and tags in Kaz. Daniels hits a Slingshot Elbow Drop on Sting followed by a Slingshot Leg Drop from Kaz. 1…2…NO Sting kicks out! Kaz hits Sting with elbows sending him into the corner and then he tosses Sting back into the heel corner. Roode and Daniels beat on Sting and then Kaz whips Sting into the ropes. Kaz connects with a Spinning Heel Kick and gets another nearfall. Kaz tosses Sting back into the heel corner and then talks trash to him before choking him with his knee. Kaz tags Roode in and holds Sting so Roode can put the boots to him. Roode hits a Knee Drop and then stands on the throat of the Stinger. Roode tosses Sting into the corner and swings but Sting blocks it! Sting explodes with a series of rights and then attempts to whip Roode into the corner but Roode reverses it. Roode charges at Sting but he sidesteps the champ and then goes for the Stinger Splash but Roode avoids it! Both men are down now as the fans get behind Sting. Sting reaches for the tag but Daniels quickly knocks Angle off the apron and Kaz slams him into the guardrail! Roode then hits Sting from behind and now Daniels & Kaz come in as well and put the boots to Sting! Roode locks Sting in the Crossface! AJ comes from out of nowhere and goes after Daniels & Kaz! Roode pulls AJ off but eats an Enziguri from AJ! Daniels bails and AJ follows! Angle clotheslines Kaz and then hits him with a back elbows. Angle with a Flying Forearm on Kaz and then he Belly-to-Belly Suplexes Kaz over the top to the floor! Angle follows Kaz out as AJ drags Daniels back into the ring. AJ attempts to whip Daniels into the ropes but Daniels reverses it only to get caught with the Pele out of nowhere! Daniels falls out to the floor and AJ dives over the top onto EVERYONE with a Somersault Plancha! The referee checks on everyone as Roode slides into the ring with the World Title and swings it, but Sting ducks! Sting trips Roode and locks in the Scorpion Death Lock! Roode taps!

Winners: Sting, AJ, & Angle via submission (Scorpion Death Lock)

After the match Sting holds up the World Title as Roode screams at him that it’s his title.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Some good tonight mixed with some bad.

I liked the way it opened up with the AJ/Dixie drama and Daniels was absolutely excellent while Dixie showed some emotion for once. I know there are some that are enjoying this thing and some that are hating it. I am one of the ones that is enjoying it. We are getting to see AJ Styles in an actual STORY, not just a feud. It paints AJ’s character in a different light with the guy that has been seen as the “golden boy” in TNA, the squeaky clean image of AJ, in such a negative tone while Daniels and Kazarian still look so sleazy. Where this thing takes us will be interesting. Either a) AJ will be innocent and all of this just fabricated and a bunch of innocent things twisted to seem like something else and AJ will get his revenge on the douche bag heels or b) AJ will reveal that he doesn’t give a damn, he did what he had to do to make it in the business and turn heel for the first time in awhile. This would be very different from his other heel runs as I don’t know that you could come back from an angle like that, AJ would be painted in a light that would be hard to change back so I’m thinking choice A may be the best bet.

Roode was ON it tonight in his promo with Hogan, absolutely excellent. The loss doesn’t hurt him but it doesn’t help him either because typically you want the heel to look stronger heading into a PPV match. The Main Event was really good though and Tenay and Taz (for the first time in forever) really added to the match with the way they harped on AJ not acting like himself and putting over how this was not like AJ to not show up for a match (though he did show up in the end).

Great stuff from Bully Ray tonight and I have no idea how they are going to handle this thing at Slammiversary.

Aries actually pulled some good action out of Crimson before Joe struck. The loss doesn’t hurt because of how it happened and I am really looking forward to a possible show stealer between Joe and Aries.

Solid Knockouts action and it looks like Mickie is teasing a heel turn again and hopefully they go forward with it this time.

Too much Hogan tonight (Brooke is useless) and the TV Title continues to be a complete waste of time. We are seeing the same things over and over and over and no one cares. Give that TV time to the X-Division.

Also, TNA just announced on their site that my boy Hernandez will be facing Kid Kash at Slammiverary in a completely random ass match. Regardless, it’s good to see both those guys getting some ring time.